Page 13 - 2001 AMA Summer

HAHflHE GRIFFIH
BySSg^icM3al^^^^
Exercise Manang Griffin was a our first real views of the
high level mountaineering
expedition in the Annapurna
Region of Nepal, which was runhere we descended into the Kali
by 50 HQ Sqn with the notable additions of LCpI Govinder Rana of 69 QGE Sqn and Capt Phil Jackson from 1 RSME Regt.
After many months of preparation and organisation the expedition left from Invicta Park on the 15th March for the long trip out to Nepal, which was a great relief after the numerous last minute changes forced upon the trip at short notice, including a change to the original expedition plans, that created many a headache and late night for SSgt Dick Gale the expedition leader.
For five members of the Expedition it was a first visit to Nepal and having arrived late at night in Kathmandu, the next morning they were in for a complete culture shock as they were sent forth into the madhouse that is the Thamel District of Kathmandu armed with dodgy street maps and lists of jobs to do.
Following a 'quiet night out’ in Kathmandu during which Spr Stu Evans ran into a fellow draughts­ man from his trade course at the RSME by complete fluke, the team departed by bus to Pokhara and from there on to the trailhead at Nayapul the start of the trek.
Initially the trail wound its way up through the forests and terraces to Ghorepani
where we got
Himalayas from the excellent vantage point of Poon Hill, From
Gandaki River valley to Tatopani and after a relaxing dip in the hot springs during a thunderstorm, we continued up the valley in day stages through the lush vegetated forests and into the more and planes of the upper valley as we walked into the Annapurna rain shadow.
After 12 days of trekking we reached the hill village of Muktinath, near the Tibetan border and the last stop before the long haul up and over the snow covered 5415 metre Thorong La pass. Once clear of the pass we descended into the Manang Valley which is a very dry region directly North of the impressive Annapurna Massif.
A few days acclimatisation and administration were spent in the Manang area before moving down the valley to begin an attempt on Pisang Peak, our main objective for the expedi­ tion. The peak is 6091 metres high and not a straight forward up and down job due to its steep upper ice slopes and altitude. Two camps were used
On Pisang Peak.
enable a sensible rate of ascent and cut down the probability of altitude sickness, a possible killer at these altitudes.
After a few nights of poor weather, the morning of the summit attempt kicked off cold and clear with everyone keen to get moving to warm up, 5000 metres up the mountain at two in the morning is not the hottest place to be! Following a hard struggle up through loose rock and scree Spr Crack Cockayne managed to set a record for the number of times he had to strip off his harness for a dump. The attempt was halted by the steep upper slopes just 200 metres from the summit, which made descent the only option for novice climbers, who were unused to movement as roped teams.
The trek out to Besi Sahar was carried out over a four day period through the impressive Marsyangdi Valley without incident, one addition-
of interest was the massive quartzite cliffs in the Bhratang area which could provide excellent multi pitch climbing for the right party. A cramped and lengthy bus ride dropped us back in Pokhara where we were treated to the hospitality of ex 69 QGE Sqn SSM, Chutra Shrestha, at his excellent guest house the Tibet Home in the Lakeside area of Pokhara. For anyone from the Corps who may visit Pokhara. it is highly recommended that they stop here, as Chutra is keen to catch up on any news.
The boys then hit the Kali Gandaki River for three excellent days of white water rafting prior to returning to Kathmandu and the long haul back to the UK on the 21st April, for a well deserved Easter leave, whilst Phil Jackson headed off with Chutra for a short trek up to his family village and Dick Gale headed back into the mountains for a crossing of Tilicho La and solo ascent of Chulu East, the expeditions original goal over
prior to attempt on the summit to
the
Approch to Pisang.